David Rivera, a former U.S. congressman, faces trial on charges he accepted $20 million in 2017 from Venezuelan state-linked companies to lobby U.S. officials without registering under FARA. Rivera has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts, including failure to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering, and was released on $200,000 bond after his 2022 arrest. Prosecutors say the case could reveal Delcy Rodríguez's alleged involvement and may call Senator Marco Rubio as a witness; Rivera's lawyers say the payments flowed through a U.S. affiliate and that he sought to aid elements of the Venezuelan opposition.
Ex-Rep. David Rivera Goes on Trial Over Alleged Undisclosed Lobbying for Venezuela
Former US Congressman faces trial over alleged illegal Venezuela lobbying
A former U.S. congressman, David Rivera, is scheduled to stand trial beginning Monday on charges that he secretly lobbied U.S. officials in 2017 on behalf of Venezuelan state interests and failed to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).
Federal prosecutors in Miami allege Rivera was paid $20 million in 2017 by companies tied to Venezuela's state sector to try to improve ties between the United States and Venezuela. Rivera, 60, has pleaded not guilty to 10 criminal counts, including failure to register as a foreign agent and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Allegations and Key Events
According to the indictment, a Venezuelan businessman sought Rivera's help in February 2017 to lobby U.S. officials on the Venezuelan government's behalf. Prosecutors say Rivera arranged meetings to advance the effort: in April 2017 he set up a meeting between Delcy Rodríguez, then Venezuela's foreign minister, and a U.S. congressman; in June 2017 he arranged a meeting between the businessman and a U.S. senator from Florida.
The indictment does not name those lawmakers, but in court filings Rivera's attorneys identified the businessman as Raúl Gorrín and the senator as Marco Rubio. Prosecutors have said they may call Senator Rubio as a witness. The trial is expected to last several weeks.
Payment, Contract and Defense Claims
Prosecutors allege that, as part of the compensation, Delcy Rodríguez directed U.S. oil refiner Citgo—a subsidiary of Venezuela's state oil company PDVSA—to sign a consulting contract with Rivera's firm. Rivera was arrested in 2022 and released on a $200,000 bond.
"The prosecutors in this case have it completely wrong and backwards," attorneys for Rivera and his co-defendant, political consultant Esther Nuhfer, wrote in a court filing made public in January.
Rivera's defense argues he had no obligation to register under FARA because the payments came through a U.S. affiliate of PDVSA, and that his work was aimed at supporting elements of Venezuela's opposition to remove Nicolás Maduro from power. Nuhfer has also pleaded not guilty.
Context and Outcome So Far
In 2017 Venezuela faced a severe economic and political crisis: street protests, allegations that President Nicolás Maduro sidelined the opposition-controlled legislature, and growing calls from U.S. lawmakers for stronger measures. Despite the alleged lobbying effort, the Trump administration moved to tighten sanctions on Venezuela.
As the trial unfolds, prosecutors say it could illuminate private contacts and influence efforts tied to Venezuela's government. Rivera's case raises questions about how foreign influence is disclosed and policed under U.S. law.
Reporting notes: This version corrects inconsistent or inaccurate descriptions that appeared in an earlier draft regarding official titles and other details.
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